At about 3:10 PM on Thursday, March 15, 2018, members of the Youth Violence Strike Force were on directed patrol in the area of Roberts Playground in District B-3 (Mattapan) and its surrounding streets due to information received that there was a potential for problems between groups and that an individual may be in possession of a firearm. While patrolling the area, officers observed a group of four males who appeared to be in their teens, walking in the above area. Officers immediately noticed that one of the males, upon seeing the officers, quickened his pace, separated himself from the group, and attempted to avoid eye contact with the officers. Having been trained in the characteristics of an armed gunman, the officers also observed that the individual made several other movements consistent with someone who may be carrying an unholstered firearm, such as pinning his right arm to his waistband as if to hold an object in place and making frequent “weapons checks” to the right side of his waist. As officers approached, the male immediately began to run through backyards. Officers followed on foot as the male ran several blocks onto Rosedale Street, where officers observed a single set of footprints in the snow leading to a lot on Aspinwall Street marked “No Trespassing.” Officers ultimately located the male hiding underneath a porch. A canvas of the area revealed a loaded black Canik 9mm TP-9 semi-automatic firearm along the suspect’s path of flight that thermal imaging indicated was likely recently discarded.

Officers arrested the 15-year-old juvenile and charged him with Delinquent to wit; Trespassing, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, and Unlawfully Carrying a Loaded Firearm. The juvenile will be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.

Said Commissioner William Evans, "Whenever I see a young person with a gun, it troubles me. No child needs to have this type of high-powered weapon in the city, and I'm thankful that the officers were able to recognize that he was carrying illegally and that there was a safe resolution to this incident."